Local Music Diaries 2014- Hey man do you have a ticket for the show?

Well the new year is here and next week Upstate Concert Hall will be packed, expect to be close to everyone in the room. Home-grown metal and hardcore equals 2 sold out shows Stigmata, Section 8, Skinless War-time Manner. The show they said would never happen, is happening. Well if you are lucky enough to hold a ticket to one of the shows your about to get what you paid for . We caught up with Skinless bassist Joe Keyser to catch us up to speed with Skinless leading up to these shows! “We are reunited with our classic lineup…plus Sherwood Webber is back on brutal growls…Bob big guns Beaulac on the skins Noah carpenter thrashing the guitar and myself beating the bass and power bombing fans. Our newest member Dave mathews ex- held under, not the chappy acoustic one – the brutal one, double guitar attack. ..now with solos!” Keyser continues excited about all that is happening.”We just destroyed the Black sky fest in denver. We headlined the Delaware death fest a few months back and now we are ready to punish the upstate concert hall on January 17th and 18th. We will be debute a new tune at the reunion concert and it has possibly the most heaviest breakdown known to man”. https://www.facebook.com/Skinless

Stigmata are making quite the come back after 20 years plus and founding member /vocalist Bob Riley gave us the scoop. ” We just played a few shows in California it was awesome. We hadnt been there in 16 years and all 5 of our shows were sold out. Kids were going crazy, singing & dancing ! Our plans for 2014? Y es,writing new songs recording a new record with Reaper records is our new label out of Syracuse.They handle all our booking and merch,they’ve been unbelievable.”. Riley continues “We are playing united blood fest in VA in March,we have a lot going on”. https://www.facebook.com/Stigmata518

Born in Amsterdam, NY, Josh Casano is a local acoustic artist who has been performing in the Capital Region for close to a decade. After living in Denmark for almost a year, Josh came back with experience performing on the stage playing bass, guitar, and drums. Since then he has been performing in bands such as Rooted Philosophy as drummer and lead vocalist as well as making the move to solo spots performing in venues like Blue 82, Savannah’s, Warwick Valley Winery, Madison’s Brewing Co. and offered spots at Upstate Concert Hall. Josh incorporates his own style into each performance. He is currently a student in the Music Education Department at The College of Saint Rose studying classical guitar, voice, and piano. He is influenced by The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Ray Lamontagne, Michael Franti, and Mumford & Sons among others.

Brick By Brick a metal/hardcore hybrid based out of the 518! Metal, Hardcore, Troycore, NYHC, whatever you want to call us! Fact is, we are heavy. We have shared the stage with numerous metal/hardcore icons including Anthrax, Agnostic Front, Sick Of it All, Rancid, Hatebreed and many more. We have 3 cd’s under our belt. We are presently working on our 4th release, titled “Piss & Vinegar” scheduled for May of 2014. Go to Facebook and like us! Our schedule and songs are on the page! www.reverbnation.com/brickbybrick

MONK is an all original independent rock band from New York States’ Capital District region. MONK is quartet consisting of bass, guitar ,keyboards and drums. Originally formed in 1996 form members of various other projects, MONK set about to make a unique and original sound. After writing 12 great tunes the band split for now long forgotten reasons. Fast forward to 2013 when MONK re-formed and began rehearsing again. In November of 2013, MONK began recording at Rockwell Productions https://www.facebook.com/rockwellpro , an EP to be released in early 2014. Most recently ,MONK performed to an enthusiastic audience at Route 66 Pub and Eatery as part of the Capital Underground Radios’ Christmas Riff show. Sharing the bill with Emma Torncello, David Fey, Let Go Daylight, and Catching Cadence. In 2014, MONK plans to ramp up it’s performing schedule upon release of the EP. You can follow and contact MONK at www.monknmusic.com.

Flakjacket regrouped in September 2013 after a healthy hiatus. They expect many shows in 2014 and are booking as an acoustic full band, as a duo, or as a trio. The band won “Best Acoustic Group” at the November 2013 Jammy Awards (The Capital Region Live Music Awards).

“That was one of the nicest things that has ever happened to us, and we’ve been around since 2006″ said Alex Hyatt, lead vocalist. “Not only we were flattered but it came as a major surprise.”

It’s always been difficult to nail down Flakjacket’s sound, but may best be described as residing somewhere between Toad the Wet Sprocket, Kings of Leon, and Live. The name “Flakjacket” may imply a heavier product than is the case. Flakjacket is essentially a rock band with a myriad of influences ranging from Jane’s Addiction and Incubus to John Mayer and the Jellyfish

As usual, when active, the band is extremely busy. They’ve recently played on bills with SLUDGE FACTORY in Troy and Clifton Park, and a new album -their third- is expected in the early summer. Tom Case (C-Toe, Hellbabys) is producing. They have upcoming live dates slated in Averill Park, Albany, Glens Falls, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, and Saratoga.

“We’re excited to be playing and writing again and we’re enjoying seeing our old friends all over upstate NY,” said Matt Baker, bassist. “Thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to support the band.” For more information about Flakjacket, please visit their official web site at www.flakjacket.info